#DallasIdeas 2015: The Political City

The inaugural For the City: The Dallas Festival of Ideas, presented by The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture in partnership with The Dallas Morning News, took place Saturday, February 28, 2015, in the Dallas Arts District.

National keynote speakers Vishaan Chakrabarti, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Elizabeth Green, Rahaf Harfoush, and Luis Alberto Urrea joined fresh local leaders from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise to help focus the power of ideas on shaping Dallas’ future. With support from our community, these are the ideas that were generated at the 2015 Dallas Festival of Ideas.

The Political City: Ideas generated from the Panels

The big idea was twofold: A.) to get the city to acknowledge that racism exists, and B.) to take specific steps to curb or negate its effects, particularly in housing. The city of Dallas can form its own team of “testers” or mystery shoppers to gauge whether discriminatory practices remain (much like federal housing testers do).

More broadly, the city must develop more strategic, purposeful policies to address poverty and the uneven distribution of affordable housing across the city.

Undertake a wholesale, comprehensive review of zoning in the city: Remap the city’s zoning to stimulate economic development in underserved communities and to rid poorer, minority areas of perceived negative enterprises such as liquor stores

Push for Campaign Finance Reform, such as imposing a cap ($10k, e.g.) on fundraising in local city council and school board single-member district contests, to foster more civic engagement or direct interaction between candidates and constituents.

Ideas written down by the Public on sticky notes

Lower taxes!

Encourage entrepreneurs

Support entrepreneurs and small biz

No more corporate tax breaks. Build a great city and they will come to us and pay taxes

Pitch for the people, not for personal interests

Less snark

Fund our government

Less corruption, more honesty

Let’s get re-engaged! We ARE the government!

Strong mayor

Attract millennials

Please provide better services for teens and young adults

Thank you for putting City Council meeting’s video recordings online! Now I know what goes on

The 2016 Dallas Festival of Ideas is all about engaging. In order to make the festival accessible to everyone, we have made General Admission for the 2016 Dallas Festival of Ideas FREE!